Synthesis of a mutagenic nucleoside, 2'-deoxy-2-(p-nitrophenyl)-adenosine

The reaction of 2-amino-6-chloropurine riboside with i-amyl nitrite in benzene in the presence of Cu2O, followed by treatment with NH3/MeOH gave 2-phenyladenosine (1). The crude sample of 1 was found to be mutagenic to bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100, without metabolic activation). When this material was subjected to high pressure liquid chromatography, the mutagenic activity was found only in contaminating minor components, whose structures were assigned as 2-(m- and p-nitrophenyl)-adenosines (2m,p). In order to study structure-activity relationships, several nucleoside and base analogues were synthesized. Among them, 2'-deoxy-2-(p-nitrophenyl)-adenosine (8) was the most potent mutagen as tested either with TA 98 or TA 100.     

Mutagenicity of (p-nitrophenyl)adenines in Salmonella typhimurium

Adenine derivatives having a p-nitrophenyl group at position 2, 8, or 9 were directly mutagenic towards Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100, whereas N6-(p-nitrophenyl)adenine was not mutagenic. 2,9- And 8,9-bis-(p-nitrophenyl)adenines were also mutagenic, but N6,9-bis-(p-nitrophenyl)adenine was not. The study on 13 (p-nitrophenyl)adenine derivatives for their Salmonella mutagenicity indicates that only those having a p-nitrophenyl ring directly linked to the purine ring are mutagenic, implying the importance of the coplanar character of the nitrophenyl and the purine rings. The nitro group seems essential for the mutagenicity, as shown from the results of assays using nitroarene-sensitive and -insensitive Salmonella strains. The mutagenic potency of this class of compounds is high, comparable to that of 2-nitrofluorene.     

Structure-mutagenicity relationship among aminoquinolines, aza-analogues of naphthylamine, and their N-acetyl derivatives

The mutagenicity of 7 positional isomers of aminoquinolines (AQ) and their N-acetyl derivatives (AcAQ) was tested in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and TA98 in the presence and absence of S9 mix. In a series of aminoquinolines, the order of mutagenic potency in the presence of S9 mix is: 5-AQ greater than 8-AQ greater than 7-AQ greater than 3-AQ greater than 2-AQ much greater than 4-AQ, 6-AQ. The alpha-positional isomers, 5-AQ and 8-AQ, are more mutagenic than the beta-isomer, 2-, 3-, 6-, 7-AQ's. These results are in contrast to the finding that beta-naphthylamine is more mutagenic than alpha-naphthylamine. In a series of N-acetylaminoquinolines, the order of mutagenic potency in the presence of S9 mix is: 7-AcAQ greater than 6-AcAQ greater than 8-AcAQ much greater than all the others. It is suggested that the AQ and AcAQ series might exert their mutagenicity through different molecular mechanisms (i.e., metabolic activation) from each other. The rate of metabolic activation does not seem to be correlated with the mutagenic potency of the compounds. It is noteworthy that 7-AQ and 8-AQ are mutagenic in both the strains tested in the absence of S9 mix.     

Mutagenicity of nitro- and amino-substituted phenazines in Salmonella typhimurium

The nitro- and amino-substituted phenazines were synthesized and assayed for their mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA98NR. Of 7 tested nitrophenazines, 4 were mutagenic in the absence of a microsomal metabolic activation system (S9 mix) and were more mutagenic in TA98 than in TA98NR. The order of mutagenicity of nitrophenazines in TA98 is 1.7- less than 2- less than 2.8- less than 2.7-substituted phenazine. Of 7 tested amino derivatives, 4 exhibited mutagenic activity with S9 mix in TA98. 1-Nitro-, 1-amino, 1.6-dinitro-, 1.9-dinitro-, 1.6-diamino- and 1.9-diamino-phenazine were not mutagenic. As regards the relationship between mutagenic potency and chemical structure of the phenazines, the results suggested that structural requirements favoring mutagenic activity were the presence of substituents at the 2 and/or 7 position. Furthermore, 2.7-disubstituted phenazines were extremely mutagenic, 2.7-dinitrophenazine and 2.7-diaminophenazine induced 36,450 and 12,110 rev./nmole, respectively. In the preliminary study, 2.7-diaminophenazine was identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry from the reaction mixture of m-phenylenediamine and hydrogen peroxide.     

Mutagenicity of aminophenyl and nitrophenyl ethers, sulfides, and disulfides.

The mutagenic activity of several aromatic amines and aromatic nitro compounds related to 4,4'-methylenedianiline towards Salmonella typhymurium tester strains TA100 and TA98 was evaluated. The heteroatomic analogs of 4,4'-methylenedianiline which include aminophenyl and nitrophenyl ethers, sulfides and disulfides were assayed in the presence of rat-liver homogenate. The relative mutagenic response of these analogs indicated the following order of activity, --S-- greater than --O-- greater than --CH2--CH2-- greater than or equal to --S--S--. In both tester strains 4-aminophenylsulfone was inactive with and without microsomal activation. The p-nitrophenyl ethers, sulfides and disulfides were relatively strong mutagens without microsomal activation towards TA100. While 4-nitrophenyldisulfide was found to possess significantly different mutagenic activity than 4-nitrothiophenol in TA98, 4-AMINOPHENYl disulfide has similar mutagenic properties to 4-aminothiophenol in both tester straains TA100 and TA98.     

Mutagenicity of bay-region amino-substituted cyclopenta[a]phenanthrenes and 2- and 5-aminochrysene

The relative mutagenic potentials of 11-amino-16,17-dihydro-15H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene, its 17-keto derivative, and 2- and 5-aminochrysene have been compared in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 in the presence of a postmitochondrial liver preparation from Aroclor 1254 induced rats. The 11-amino hydrocarbon is a very weak mutagen (0.27 revertants/nmol), whereas the 11-amino-17-ketone is much more active (129 revertants/nmol). 2-Aminochrysene is the most mutagenic arylamine ( approximately 500 revertants/nmol) among these compounds, but its 5-amino isomer is much less active (0.9 revertants/nmol). Possible reasons for these marked differences are suggested.Use of TA98 with over-expressing O-acetyltransferase (YG 1024) and deficient in this enzyme (TA98/l,8-DNP(6)) with the 11-amino-17-ketone and with 5-aminochrysene clearly indicates the importance of this enzyme in their bioactivation, implying oxidation of the amino group to the hydroxylamine in both these compounds.     

Mutagenicity of nitrofurans in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6

8 representative 2-substituted 5-nitrofurans were assayed for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6. The tested compounds were: 5-nitro-2-furanacrylic N-(5-nitro-2-furfurylidene)hydrazide (1); furazolidone (2); 5-nitro-2-furanacrolein (3); 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde semicarbazone (4); 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde (5); nitrofurantoin (6); 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde diacetate (7); and 5-nitro-2-furoic acid (8). These compounds exhibited markedly different mutagenic activities in TA98, and these mutagenicities were similar both in the presence and the absence of rat-liver hepatic S9 activation enzymes. The mutagenic responses ranged from potent (90-300 revertants/nmole, compounds 1-3), to medium (about 10 revertants/nmole, compounds 4 and 6), to weak (0-4 revertants/nmole, compounds 5, 7 and 8). The mutagenicity of 3 was similar in all 3 tester strains, while compound 8 was essentially inactive. The mutagenicities of 1, 4, 5 and 7 were decreased 30-75% in TA98NR, while 2 and 6 showed an even greater depression of activity in this strain. Compound 6 with S9 was about equally mutagenic in TA98 and TA98/1,8-DNP6, while the activities of 6 without S9 and 2 and 7 both with and without S9 were 50-75% lower in TA98/1,8-DNP6. Compounds 1, 4 and 5 were only about 5-10% as mutagenic in TA98/1,8-DNP6 as in TA98. These results suggest that: (i) nitrofurans and their S9-mediated metabolites have similar mutagenic potencies; (ii) with the possible exception of No. 3, nitroreduction is the major route of mutagenic activation for these nitrofurans; and (iii) for compounds 2, 6 and 7, both the presumed N-hydroxy and N,O-ester derivatives of the corresponding aminofuran metabolites appear to lead to mutations.     

Relationships between structures and mutagenic potencies of 16 heterocyclic nitrogen mustards (ICR compounds) in Salmonella typhimurium

16 heterocyclic nitrogen mustards (ICR compounds), which were synthesized for use as possible antitumor agents by Creech and coworkers, were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1536, TA1537, TA1538, TA98 and TA100. The compounds were incorporated into the top agar at 5 doses: 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 micrograms/plate. All of the compounds were negative in TA1535 except ICR 449, which was positive in all 6 strains. The other 15 compounds were positive in the remaining strains with the following exceptions: ICR 371 and 355 were negative in TA100; ICR 445 was negative in TA98 and TA100; and ICR 360 was negative in TA1537, TA1538, TA98 and TA100. Good qualitative agreement was observed between the mutagenic and antitumor activities of the 16 compounds, and between the mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of the 5 compounds that have been tested for carcinogenicity by Peck and coworkers. However, no significant correlation was found between mutagenic potency in Salmonella and antitumor potency in mice for the 16 compounds. Also, for the 5 compounds that have been tested for carcinogenicity, no significant correlation was found between their mutagenic potency in Salmonella and their carcinogenic potency in mice. In Salmonella, the secondary (2 degrees) amines generally were more mutagenic than their tertiary (3 degrees) amine homologs, although the opposite result has been reported in certain eukaryotes. Relationships between structures and potencies for the different nuclei of the 16 ICR compounds are discussed, as are similarities and differences in strain sensitivities. We conclude that the Salmonella his reversion test is not a good predictor of the antitumor and carcinogenic potencies of these ICR compounds.     

Mutation spectra in Salmonella of analogues of MX: implications of chemical structure for mutational mechanisms

We determined the mutation spectra in Salmonella of four chlorinated butenoic acid analogues (BA-1 through BA-4) of the drinking water mutagen 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) and compared the results with those generated previously by us for MX and a related compound, MCF. We then considered relationships between the properties of mutagenic potency and mutational specificity for these six chlorinated butenoic acid analogues. In TA98, the three most potent mutagens, BA-3, BA-4, MX, and the organic extract, all induced large percentages of complex frameshifts (33-67%), which distinguish these agents from any other class of compound studied previously. In TA100, which has only GC sites for mutation recovery, >71% of the mutations induced by all of the agents were GC-->TA transversions. The availability of both GC and TA sites for mutation in TA104 resulted in greater distinctions in mutational specificity than in TA100. MX targeted GC sites almost exclusively (98%); the structurally similar BA-4 and BA-2 produced mutations at similar frequencies at both GC and AT sites; and the structurally similar BA-3 and BA-1 induced most mutations at AT sites (69%). Thus, large variations in structural properties influencing relative mutagenic potency appeared to be distinct from the more localized similar structural features influencing mutagenic specificity in TA104. Among a set of physicochemical properties examined for the six butenoic acids, a significant correlation was found between pK(a) and mutagenic potency in TA100, even when the unionized fraction of the activity dose was considered. In addition, a correlation in CLOGP for BA-1 to BA-4 suggested a role for bioavailability in determining mutagenic potency. These results illustrate the potential value of structural analyses for exploring the relationship between chemical structure and mutational mechanisms. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which such analyses have been applied to structural analogues for which both mutagenic potency and mutation spectra date were available.     

Effect of histamine H2-receptor antagonist therapy on the mutagenic activity of gastric juice

There is concern at present that treatment with histamine H2-receptor antagonists might promote the development of gastric cancer by producing conditions which favour intragastric formation of N-nitroso compounds. If H2-receptor antagonist therapy causes increased intragastric levels of N-nitroso compounds, an issue not yet resolved by analytical studies, corresponding changes in the mutagenic activity of gastric juice might be anticipated. In this study mutagenic activity and pH were measured in fasting gastric aspirate from 18 peptic ulcer patients before and during the final week of therapy with ranitidine (n = 10) or cimetidine (n = 8). Mutagenic activity was assessed using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 in a modified pre-incubation "fluctuation" test. No significant change in mutagenic activity was detected after therapy. Of 15 patients found to have significant mutagenic activity in their fasting gastric juice before treatment, 14 remained mutagenic following treatment. Mutation frequencies (sum of positive wells in duplicate 96-well microtitre plates, mean +/- SD) for TA98 and TA100 were respectively, 20 +/- 34 and 100 +/- 64 before compared with 10 +/- 6 and 102 +/- 65 after therapy (p greater than 0.05). Changes in mutagenic activity were similar in both treatment groups and unrelated to duration of therapy, changes in gastric pH or ulcer healing. In vitro, neither cimetidine in aqueous solution, nor gastric juice preincubated with cimetidine showed significant mutagenic activity. These results provide no evidence that increased intragastric levels of genotoxic chemicals, such as N-nitroso compounds, occur during H2-receptor antagonist therapy.     

Structural activity relationship between Salmonella-mutagenicity and nitro-orientation of nitroazaphenanthrenes

Nitroazaphenanthrenes (NAphs) and their N-oxides (NAphOs) were synthesized as derivatives with nitrogen atoms in the 1, 4, and 9 positions of phenanthrene rings, and as nitrated derivatives substituted at the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 positions of phenanthrene rings. To determine the structure activity relationship of these derivatives, all 19 isomers were bioassayed with Salmonella tester strains. NAphs substituted at the 4, 6, 7 and 8 positions were mutagenic for TA98, and 1-, 2-, and 3-N-9-AphOs, 6-N-1-AphO and 6-N-4-AphO were mutagenic for TA98 and TA100 without the S9 mix, while 5-N-1-AphO and 5-N-9-AphO were non- or weakly mutagenic. Nitrated derivatives, 6-N-4-Aph, 6-N-9-Aph, 6-N-1-AphO, and 6-N-4-AphO, were powerful mutagens for TA98 and TA100. Mutagenicity was enhanced by mutant strains producing nitroreductase, such as YG1021 and 1026, and by those producing O-acetyltransferase, such as YG1024 and 1029. Nitro derivatives substituted at positions 4 and 5 in the phenanthrene rings were perpendicular, while those at positions 2, 3, 6 and 7 were coplanar to the phenanthrene rings. NAphs substituted at the 1 and 8 positions were noncoplanar due to steric hindrance of the aromatic proton at the peri position. On the other hand, 1,5- and 1,8-dinitro-4-azaphenanthrenes showed high mutagenicity for strains TA98 and TA100 in the absence of the S9 mix, and were strongly enhanced by nitroreductase and O-acetyltransferase, over-producing mutants. Therefore, it was found that the mutagenic potency of NAphs and NAphOs was closely associated with the chemical properties and orientation of nitro substitution of aromatic rings.     

Mutagenicity of K-region derivatives of 1-nitropyrene; remarkable activity of 1- and 3-nitro-5H-phenanthro[4,5-bcd]pyran-5-one

The mutagenic activities toward S. typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 of K-region derivatives of 1-nitropyrene and pyrene were determined. The compounds tested were trans-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxy-1-nitropyrene (Compound 3), trans-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxypyrene (Compound 4), 1-nitropyrene-4,5-quinone (Compound 5), 1-nitropyrene-9,10-quinone (Compound 6), pyrene-4,5-quinone (Compound 7), and the lactones, 1-nitro-5H-phenanthro[4,5-bcd]pyran-5-one (Compound 8), 3-nitro-5H-phenanthro[4,5-bcd]pyran-5-one (Compound 9), and 5H-phenanthro[4,5-bcd]pyran-5-one (Compound 10). Neither pyrene nor any of its K-region derivatives was mutagenic, either in the absence or presence of S9 mix at the doses tested. Of the K-region derivatives of 1-nitropyrene, the lactones (Compounds 8 and 9) were generally the most active; 0.25 microgram/plate induced 900-2200 revertants in TA98 or TA100 without activation. The 4,5-dihydrodiol (Compound 3), an established mammalian metabolite of 1-nitropyrene, was less mutagenic than was 1-nitropyrene in TA98, but was more mutagenic than was 1-nitropyrene in TA100, regardless of the presence of S9 mix. The quinones (Compounds 5 and 6) were less mutagenic than was 1-nitropyrene in the absence of S9 mix in both strains, but their activities were increased in the presence of S9 mix. The mutagenic activities of the lactones (Compounds 8 and 9) were lower in strains TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6 than in TA98, indicating that nitro-reduction and esterification are involved in their activation. The results of this study indicate that K-region derivatives of 1-nitropyrene may be important in its metabolic activation.     

Comparative direct-acting mutagenicity of 1- and 2-nitropyrene: Evidence for 2-nitropyrene mutagenesis by both guanine and adenine adducts

The mutations and DNA adducts produced by the environmental pollutant 2-nitropyrene were examined in Salmonella typhimurium tester strains. 2-Nitropyrene was a stronger mutagen than its extensively studied structural isomer 1-nitropyrene in strains TA96, TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102, TA104 and TA1538. Both 1- and 2-nitropyrene were essentially inactive in TA1535. The mutagenicity of 1- and 2-nitropyrene in TA98 was much higher than in TA98NR and the activity of these compounds in TA100 was much higher than in TA100NR. While 1-nitropyrene exhibited similar mutagenicity in strains TA98 and TA98/1,8-DNP₆, the mutagenicity of 2-nitropyrene in TA98/1,8-DNP₆ was much lower than in TA98. Analysis of DNA from TA96 and TA104 incubated with 2-nitropyrene indicated the presence of two adducts, N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminopyrene and N-deoxyadenosin-8-yl)-2-aminopyrene. The results suggest that 2-nitropyrene is metabolized by bacterial nitroreductase(s) to N-hydroxy-2-aminopyrene, and possibly by activation to a highly mutagenic O-acetoxy ester. DNA adduct formation with deoxyguanosine and deoxyadenosine correlates with the mutagenicity of 2-nitropyrene in tester strains possessing both G:C and A:T mutational targets.     

The Synthesis,Mutagenic and Pharmacological Activities of 2-Carbon-Substituted Adenosines

Abstract

2′-Deoxy-2-(p-nitrophenyl)-adenosine (.15) was found to be the most potent mutagen when tested with S. typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 in the series of compounds, whose activity towards TA 98 is one order of magnitude greater than that of 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide.

In another series of reactions, synthesis of 2-alkynyl-adenosines (18) was achieved through the palladium catalyzed cross-coupling of terminal alkynes with 2-iodoadenosine (17). Compounds bearing the 2-C[dbnd]CCH(R)OH side-chain exhibited potent antiallergic activity in rats. These compounds, however, possessed hypotensive activity accompanied by a decrease in heart rate whereas with a longer alkyl side-chain at the 2-position, compounds showed selective hypotensive activity.     

Effect of various alkyl and unsaturated substituents on the mutagenicity of some nitrophenyl thioethers.

A variety of nitro-substituted phenyl alkyl/aryl thioethers and nitroso-substituted phenyl alkyl/aryl thioethers have been synthesized and tested for their mutagenicity towards Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100, TA98, TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP(6) in the absence of S9 mix. The relative order of mutagenicity in TA98 and TA100 among p-nitrophenyl thioethers having alkyl or aryl substituents is allyl>phenyl>benzyl>butyl>propyl>ethyl>methyl. Compounds having an alkyl chain C(6) to C(12) were found to be non-mutagenic. Among the various positional isomers (ortho, meta and para) of nitro-substituted diphenyl thioethers only the compounds having the -NO(2) function at the para position is mutagenic, whereas compounds having a -NO(2) function at ortho and meta are non-mutagenic. However, the reduced intermediate, ortho-nitroso derivative was found to be mutagenic in all the four strains but the meta-nitroso derivative was found to be non-mutagenic. All mutagens were found to be non-mutagenic when tested in nitroreductase deficient strain TA98NR, whereas their nitroso intermediates are found to be mutagenic. A substantial fall in the mutagenic activity is observed when some mutagens are tested in O-acetyltransferase deficient strain TA98/1,8-DNP(6).     

Mutagenic activity of 2-phenylbenzotriazole derivatives related to a mutagen, PBTA-1, in river water.

A mutagen, 2-[2-(acetylamino)-4-[bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino]-5-methoxyphenyl]5-ami no-7-bromo-4-chloro-2H-benzotriiazole (PBTA-1), isolated from water of the Nishitakase River in Kyoto exhibits potent mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 with S9 mix and has characteristic moieties, including bromo, chloro, acetylamino, bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino and primary amino groups on a 2-phenylbenzotriazole skeleton. The mutagenicities of PBTA-1, its congeners and five related 2-phenylbenzotriazoles were examined in S. typhimurium TA98 with S9 mix in order to elucidate the structure-activity relationships. The data obtained suggest that a primary amino group plays an essential role in the mutagenic activity as do aromatic amines including heterocyclic amines in cooked foods. The effect of planarity of the 2-phenylbenzotriazole ring was significant, and in addition, halogen groups of PBTA-1 influenced the enhancement of the mutagenic activity.     

Microbial mutagenicity of 3- and 4-ring polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles

The stable isomers of 3- and 4-ring polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles were tested for mutagenicity in the Ames standard plate incorporation test and a liquid pre-incubation modification of the Ames test. Of the 4 three-ring compounds tested, only naphtho[1,2-b]thiophene was mutagenic. Of the four-ring compounds, 7 of 13 were mutagenic in the standard Ames or pre-incubation Ames test. The highest activity for the 4-ring compounds was observed for phenanthrol[3,4-b]thiophene, a compound of approximately the same mutagenic potency in the Ames test as benzo[a]pyrene. The other active 4-ring compounds were of considerable less mutagenic potency than phenanthrol[3,4-b]thiophene. Mutagenicity for two of the 4-ring aromatic thiophenes could only be detected in the liquid pre-incubation Ames test. Salmonella typhimurium TA100 was the most sensitive strain to mutagenesis by these compounds, followed by TA98. All mutagenesis was indirect, requiring metabolic activation.     

Mutagenic activity of the methyl and phenyl derivatives of the food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (IQx) in the Ames test

The mutagenic activity of 15 different mono-, di-, tri-, and tetramethyl derivatives of the food mutagen IQx (2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline), one diphenyl derivative of IQx and two phenyl derivatives of 5-MeIQx (2-amino-3,5-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline) were studied in the Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and enzymatic activation (S9). The number and positioning of the methyl groups strongly affected the mutagenic activity. The phenylated compounds showed weak mutagenic potency. It seems that both resonance stabilization of the nitrenium ion and steric effects are important in determining mutagenic potency.     

Relationships between structure of nitrated arenes and their mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium; 2- and 2,7-nitro substituted fluorene, phenanthrene and pyrene

In order to elucidate the mechanisms of mutagenic activation of nitroarenes, we studied the relationships between the mutagenic potency and chemical structure of 2-nitro- and 2,7-dinitro-arenes including nitrated fluorene (Fl), dihydrophenanthrene (DHPh), phenanthrene (Ph), tetrahydropyrene (THPy), dihydropyrene (DHPy) and pyrene (Py) together with 9-NO2-Ph, 1-NO2-Py and 1.3-diNO2-Py. The mutagenicity tests were carried out on Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6 in the absence of S9 mix. The order of mutability of mononitro- and dinitro-arenes in TA98 is as given below: 2-NO2-THPy less than 2-NO2-Fl less than 2-NO2-DHPh less than 9-NO2-Ph less than 2-NO2-Ph less than 2-NO2-DHPy less than 1-NO2-Py less than 2-NO2-Py, and 2,7-diNO2-DHPh less than 2,7-diNO2-Fl less than 2,7-diNO2-THPy less than 2,7-diNO2-Ph less than 2,7-diNO2-DHPy less than 2,7-diNO2-Py less than 1,3-diNO2-Py. 9-NO2-Ph and 1-NO2-Py, which have been detected in environmental samples, are not as potent mutagens as 2-nitrated phenanthrene and pyrene, respectively. 2-NO2THPy (37.7 rev/nmole) was a weak mutagen, but 2,7-diNO2-THPy (3197 rev/nmole) was as potent a mutagen as 2,7-diNO2 (3925 rev/nmole). Tetrahydropyrene has a twisted form in its structure. 1,3-diNO2-Py (99660 rev/nmole) was more mutagenic than 2,7-diNO2-Py (37960.0 rev/nmole), and their mutagenicities were correlated with the behavior of the K-band in their UV spectra by the introduction of nitro groups on pyrene.     

Mutagenic activity of 6-aminoquinoxalines in Salmonella typhimurium

Mutagenicity of 6-aminoquinoxaline derivatives was tested with Salmonella typhimurium strains Ta98 and TA100 in the presence and absence of S9 mix from the viewpoint that the 6-aminoquinoxaline skeleton is a common unit of mutagenic imidazoquinoxalines. We tested nine compounds: 5-methyl-6-methylaminoquinoxaline (1), 3,5-dimethyl-6-methylaminoquinoxaline (2), 2,5-dimethyl-6-metnylaminoquinoxaline (3), 6-methylamino-2,3,5-trimethylquinoxaline (4), 2,3-diethyl-5-methyl-6-methylaminoquinoxaline (5), 5-methyl-6-methylamino 3-phenylquinoxaline (6), 6-amino-2,3,5-trimethylquinoxaline (7), 6-dimethylamino-2,3-5-trimethylaminoquinoxaline (8), 6-amino-2,3-dimethylquinoxaline (9). These compounds showed the mutagenic activity for both TA98 and TA100 in the presence of S9 mix, where they were more sensitive for TA100 strain. Methyl groups at the 2, 3 and/or 5 positions increased the potency of mutagenicity (1 < 2 < 3 ⪡ 4, 9 < 7). However, ethyl groups at the 2 and 3 positions lowered the mutagenicity of the methyl substitute but elevated it of the parental compound (1 < 5 < 4). A methyl group at the N⁶ position decreased the mutagenicity (7 > 4 > 8).